Fish are secured by means of bamboo traps through which a part of the water of a stream is diverted.  These traps do not differ in any respect from those shown in Fig. 19.  Along the coast metal fishhooks and dip and throw nets are in common use, but these are at present largely obtained from the Moro.  The easiest and hence the most popular method of securing fish is to mash together the poisonous roots of the tobli tree and the fruit of the oliskEb.  The pulp is then sunk into still pools of water and in a short time, the stupified[sic] fish begin to float to the surface, where they are quickly seized by the fishermen.

WARFARE

Mention has already been made of the use of pits and traps in warfare.  In addition to these it is customary for a returning war party to conceal in the trail many sao~nag, small stiletto-shaped bamboo sticks, which pierce the feet of those in pursuit.  A night camp is effectively protected in the same manner against barefooted enemies.

The arms used are spears, fighting knives with wide bellied blades, daggers, narrow shields with which weapons are defected (Fig. 52), and in some sections bows and arrows.  The fighting knives and daggers (Plates LXXV-LXXVI) deserve more than casual notice.  The heavy bellied blades of the knives are highly tempered, and not infrequently are bored through and inlaid with silver, in which instances they are known as binuta,—­blind (Plate LXXVa).  The sheaths, with their sharply upturned ends, are made of light wood on which are carved decorations, attached or inlaid bands of silver, or stained designs.  The handles of the weapons are also decorated with incised silver bands.

FIG. 52.  WOODEN SHIELDS.

Much as the fighting knives are prized, the dagger, bayadau or badau, is in even greater favor.  It is worn on the front left-hand part of the body in ready reach of the right hand, and is never removed unless the owner is in the company of trusted relatives.  A light thread, easily broken, holds the dagger in its sheath and the slightest disturbance is enough to cause the owner to draw his weapon.

The older warriors claim that it formerly was their custom to protect themselves with strips of hemp cloth, limbotung, which they wound many times around their bodies in order to ward off knife thrusts, but this method of protection seems to have fallen into disuse.[1]

[1] This type of protective armor is still used by the Bukidnon of Central Mindanao.